To celebrate this day we would like to pay homage to Africans who have made a significant contribution to the development of South African literature in all official languages..​

Here is a list of the piooners of Mother Language:

Professor Mazisi Kunene

Professor Mazisi Kunene, is a world-renowned author of majestic poems.He wrote and published poetry in isiZulu and then translated into English. In 1993 UNESCO made him Africa's poet laureate and in 2005 he was awarded with the title of South African National Poet Laureate, in acknowledgement of Kunene’s dedication to “foregrounding and championing” African literature and languages.

​Brian Ramadiro is doing ground-breaking work in rural schools in the Eastern Cape, empowering teachers and pupils in Eastern Cape Schools. Ramadiro has been working in the field of education for almost 20 years. He started in adult education, moved on to youth work and, later, education policy research. Ramadiro and his team have been able to redesign classrooms, train and provide classroom support to more than a 100 teachers and source and create materials that work in overcrowded, bilingual classrooms using isiXhosa and English.

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Children reached in reading clubs

Read out a story and ask your child to pretend to be one of the characters - they can read the character's dialogue if they want, or they can simply make it up!

By signing up with the Nal'ibali network you are showing your support for using the power of stories to inspire children to want to read and write. You will also receive a monthly eNewsletter and stand the chance to receive other great benefits.